New Delhi: In his first to a foreign country since the COVID-19 outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day visit to Bangladesh on Friday morning. PM Modi departed for Bangladesh at 7.45 am and was expected to arrive in Dhaka at 10 am.
After arriving in Dhaka, he will attend an event at the National Martyr’s Memorial at 10.50 am. Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will call on PM Modi at 3.15 pm.
Later, he will attend the National Day Programme at 3.45 pm. PM Modi will then inaugurate Bapu Bangabandhu Digital Video Exhibition at 7.45 pm.
Prior to his departure, PM Modi said that he looks forward to having “substantive discussions” with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He will also call on Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid during the visit.
“I look forward to my participation at the National Day celebrations tomorrow, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions,” he said in a tweet.
As I leave for Bangladesh tomorrow, I look forward to remembering the life and ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation, as well as our diplomatic ties. https://t.co/74FLn4MvHB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 25, 2021
PM Modi is also looking forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay his respects.
“I am particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichandra Thakur ji disseminated his pious message. I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with His Excellency President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries,” he said.
Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh’s remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 25, 2021
PM Modi added, “My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, but also to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements. I will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh’s fight against COVID-19.”
Bangladesh Foreign Minister on Thursday said the people of Bangladesh welcome the visit of Prime Minister Modi.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will also interact with diverse groups of Bangladesh’s polity and society.